Dead or Alive?

Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi is seen in eerie photo moments before helicopter crash: Hamas-backing leader is still missing amid fears his death will spark power vacuum in Tehran

By STEPHEN M. LEPORE and KAMAL SULTAN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 09:19 EDT, 19 May 2024 | UPDATED: 18:40 EDT, 19 May 2024


Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi was pictured moments before the helicopter crash near the border with Azerbaijan which put his ‘life at risk’.

He was seen staring out of the window of the aircraft, which was traveling in Iran's East Azerbaijan province near Jolfa, around 375 miles northwest of Tehran when it crashed.

There have been conflicting reports among Iranian state media about whether the helicopter has been found following a frantic search mission.

The president is still missing hours after the crash and there is no confirmation they are close to finding Raisi. It has led to fears that his death could spark a power vacuum in Iran.

The helicopter was one of a convoy of three and foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Friday prayer Imam Seyyed Mohammad-Ali Al-Hashem and other high-ranking officials were also reportedly on the helicopter with the president.

Their lives are at risk following the crash over mountain terrain, an Iranian official told Reuters. All army and Iranian guard resources were utilized in the search efforts for the helicopter.




Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi (left) was pictured moments before the helicopter crash near the border with Azerbaijan which put his ‘life at risk’